YCE backs Yoruba position at national conference

The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has backed the Yoruba Agenda on the parliamentary system of government; restructuring, with the existing six geo-political zones as the federating units; and devolution of more powers to states.

The group led by Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd.) made its position known yesterday in Lagos after its 13th national congress.

In a statement, YCE Secretary-General Chief Idowu Sofola (SAN) said the group has made presentations on constitutional amendment in the past and that its position remains as follows: the establishment of state, local government and institutional police to curb crime and solve unresolved murder cases; conclusion of election petitions 90 days after elections and before the swearing-in of the winner; creation of more local governments; removal of the immunity clause; entrenchment of policies for the empowerment of youths and for the welfare of the aged; as well as the decentralisation of the control and provision of electricity.

YCE condemned “the way some ethnic groups are riding roughshod on Yoruba hospitality and generosity by unabashedly abusing the privilege which is unavailable in their own domains”.

Maj.-Gen. Adebayo said it was reported that the Federal Government was considering removing the three basic languages, including Yoruba, from the list of courses taught in schools and warned the government against doing so.

He urged the government to focus on fighting corruption aggressively, adding that it has become more endemic and “more embarrassingly so even in the judiciary where it is now flaunted with audacious effrontery”.

Prof. Adebayo Williams, who represented Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, pledged the governor’s support to activities of the YCE.

He said Fashola holds the organisation in high esteem because it is a non-partisan, non-sectarian and non-profit socio-cultural group founded for the protection of the Yoruba culture and interests in Nigeria and the Diaspora.

Williams said: “He holds this organisation in high esteem and he was doing everything possible to be here until an hour ago, when he was called away on an urgent assignment.”